Stapling machine



June 25, 1929. F. L. MANNY 1,718,571

STAPLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 16, 1928 9 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Fred LMan 12 Q A TTORNE Y8 June 25, 1929.

F. L. MANNY STAPLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 16, 1928 9 Sheets-Sheet June 25,1929. MANNY 1,718,571

STAPLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 16, 1928 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 I w mmnmunmntg aa, 11v VENTOR ATTORNEYS vii June 25, 1929. F. L. MANNY STAPLING MACHINE9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 16, 1928 5 [NV/INTO Fred L Maggi Wye ATTORNE Y5 June 25, 1929. F. L. MANNY STAPLING MACHINE 9 Sheets-SheetZZZ,

Filed Jan. 16, l928 F. L. MANNY June 25, 1929.

STAPLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 16, 1928 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 CENTOR Fred lka/wy B Y '6 A rromvs s June 25, 1929." F 1 MANNY I 1,718,571

STAPLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 16, 1928 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 T7. IJ/L INVENTORBy 615W? 2% A TTORNEYS June 25, 1929.

F. 1 MANNY 1,718,571

STAPLING MACHINE Filed Jan. 16, 1928 9 SheetsSheet 8 I mum 143 I] .III

, INVENTO/C Fred L Wang/i1 Azf ozlmys June 25, 1929. F. L. MANNYSTAPLING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 1 Filed Jan. 16, 1928 4;]. Z4. 74w LMg??? m W A TTORNEY:

Patented June 25, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,718,571 PATENT OFFICE.

FRED L. MANNY, 0F BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO I. I. ROSBACKCOI- IPANY, 0F BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN.

STAPLING MACHINE.

Application filed January 16, 1928. Serial No. 247,082.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a stitching inachine whlch may be easily and quicklyad usted to space the stitching as may be desired for the particularwork.

Second, to provide an improved stitching machine which is adapted forwide variation in the work.

Third, to provide an improved stitching machine which is of largecapacity and at the same time compact and comparatively simple instructure.

Fourth, to provide an improved feed means for the work.

Fifth, to provide an improved stapling machine in which the spacing ofthe staples may be varied in the same piece of work.

Objects pertaining to details andeconomies of my invention will appearfrom. the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A machine which embodies the features of my invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of thisspecification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective View of my improved stitching machine,portions of the base being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear perspective view of the delivery end of themachine.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary rear perspective of the front end of themachine.

Fig. 4 is a detail front perspective withdetails of the drivingmechanism.

Fig. 7A is a detail on line 7* a of Fig. 7

.Fig. 8 is a fragmentary rear perspectiveview showing details of themeans for feeding the work through the stapler and of the conveyordelivering thereto.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front perspective view showing parts of the workfeed conveyor shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 9A is a detail section on line 9-9 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary front perspective view of the opposite end ofthe work feed conveyor.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary rear perspective view of the Work deliveryconveyor or stacker.

Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view of the means for verticallyadjusting the delivery conveyor.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary rear perspective view showing details of thestapler or feed drive mechanism.

Fig. 13A is a detail section on line 13 -43 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 14 is an inverted detail perspective view showing details of thestaple feed 'driving mechanism.

Fig. 15 is a detail view partially in section on line 15-15 of Figs. 13andl t.

Fig. 16 is a detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 16-16of Fig. 13.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary perspective view showing details of the drivingclutch control mechanism.

Fig. 18 is a detail view mainly in section on line 18-18 of Fig. 17 pFig. 19 is a fragmentary elevation showing details of the drivingmechanism for the work feed rolls whereby variations in speed result,thereby effecting a variation in the spacing of the staples in' the samepiece of work.

Figs. 20, 21 and 22 are fragmentary side elevations showing successivepositions of the parts shown in Fig. 19.

Fig. 23 is a detail View mainly in section on line 2323 of Fig. 20.

Fig. 24 is a detail view mainly in section on line 2424 of Fig. 20.

Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the stapler work guide.

Fig. 26 is a perspective View of one of the pieces of work showing apossible position in the spacing of the staples.

Fig. 27 is a fragmentary rear view of a stack of work showing the offsetrelation or variations in spacing of the staples.

Referring to the drawing, the machine in the embodiment illustrated issupported on a base 1 having a projecting pedestal 2. On this pedestalis a gear or transmission box 3 the pedestal also forming a housing forcertain parts of the driving connections as will appear as thedescription proceeds.

The stitcher head 4 is supported by an overhanging arm 5 on the upperend of the pedestal. The details of the stitcher head other than thecontrolling mechanism thereofers illustrated at 6, Fig. 26, is in theembodiment illustrated placed in the machine by hand, a conveyor way 7of A cross section projecting forwardly from the standard. The front endof this way is supported by an arm 8 projecting from the boss 9 on thebase 1. This conveyor way 7 has a longitudinal slot at the apex thereofthrough which the flights 10 of the conveyor project to engage the workshown by dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The conveyor comprises a conveyor chain 11 traveling on and driven bythe sprockets 12 and 13, see Figs. 8, 9 and 10. These sprockets arefixed to the shafts 14 and 15, respectively, which shafts are mounted inbearings 16 and 17 carried by the bearing blocks 18 and 19. Thesebearing blocks are supported by spaced rails 20 and 21 and are connectedby the rod 22 so that they are simultaneously adjusted. The bearingblock 16 is provided with an index finger 23 operatively associated withthe adjusting indicia 24 on the front rail 20. The bearing blocks haveslots therein to engage the inwardly projecting arms of the rails andare secured in adjusted positions by the set screw 270, a hand piece 271being provided to facilitate adjustment, see Fig. 9A.

The shaft 14 is provided with a beveled gear 25 coacting with a beveledgear 26 which is slidably keyed to the shaft 27, the ke way beingindicated at 28. The shaft has a earing at 29 in the bearing block 18,the block being slidable on the shaft.

The flights 10 are pivotally mounted in spaced relation on the conveyorchain and provided with arms 30 having rollers 31 thereon. The flights10 are fixed to their pivots 32 and the pivots carry tappets 33. Theserollers 31 and the members 33, while the flights are traveling on theupper reach of the conveyor, travel in and are supported by the opposedchanneled ways 34.

To retract the flights at the rear end of the conveyor the ways 34 areprovided with downwardly curved retracting members 35 which to eliminateundue shock are pivoted at 36. The rear ends of the retracting membersare supported by the spring 37. The stop 38 limits the swing of theseretracting members on their pivots.

As the flights travel over the feed sprockets 12.the tappets 33 engagewith these retracting members as the rollers 31 drop from the supportingways so that the flights are retracted or tilted backwardly away fromthe work as shown in Fig. 8. In order to in- :sure rapid retraction ofthe flights at this thereto or wiping the flight downwardly on the work.

In order to swing the flights to erect position at the forward end ofthe feed conveyor, I provide a pair of flight erecting guide members 40which are downwardly curved at the sides of the sprockets so that as theflights are carried over the front sprockets 13,- the tap-- pets 33 andthe rollers 31 are guided into'the ways 34 and the flights are therebysupported in erect position projecting through the slot in the worksupporting way.

From this feed means or feed conveyor described, the work is deliveredto the stitcher conveyor. To adapt the feed conveyor for delivering workof different length to the stitching conveyor means are provided foradjusting the flights of the feed conveyor relative to its actuatingmeans. The mechanism by which this is accomplished will, however, bedescribed later.

The stitching conveyor includes a way 41 consisting of a pair of platesdisposed at an angle as are the plates forming the feed conveyor Way 7,the plates forming the Way 41 being spaced at their apexes to provide acontinuation of the slots 42 through which the flights project.

As the work is delivered by the feed conveyor to the stitcher conveyorit passes under the bowed spring 43 which is supported at its upper endwith its lower end free and directed rearwardly to frictionally engagethe work, acting as a drag to prevent overthrow during its step by stepmovement as it is engaged by the stitcher feed rollers, and also to holdit down upon the way.

The work is further held in position and in proper relation to the waystitcher by means of the double cone roller 44 and the retaining orguiding foot 46 disposed at the rear of the roller 44 and longitudinallyslotted to accommodate the stitcher. The roller 44 is supported by thevertically adjustable rod 45 while the foot 46 is supported by the rod47, both being carried by the bracket 48 and the adjustment beingprovided to adapt them to varying thicknesses of work.

To further hold the work down to the way and centered thereon I providea V grooved roller 272 which engages the work at the rear of but closeto the stitching point.

The work is carried through the stitcher, while supported by thestitcher way 41 which is, in fact, a work table for the stitcher, by thecoacting feed rollers 49 and 50. The roller 49 is disposed below thestitcher way and in alinement with the slot 51 thereof while whichconsists of a plurality of idler supporting rollers 52 having journals53 selectively engageable with notch-like bearings 54 in the spacedhorizontally disposed bars 55. A plurality of driving rollers 56, 56 areprovided to coact with certain of the idler rollers, the driving roller56 being first in the series and having a special control means as willlater be described.

These driving rollers are suitably spaced to carry the work along on thesupporting rollers and discharge the same to the delivery conveyor.These discharge conveyor driving rollers have friction rims or facingsof rubber or suitable composition indicated at 57. The shafts 58 ofthese feed rollers 56 are supported in housings 59 and connected bybeveled gears indicated conventionally at 60 by dotted lines, see Fig.6, one of each pair of beveled gears having a sliding key conncction tothe shaft 61 so that the rollers 56 may be adjusted relative to eachother and to the supporting rollers 52 by sliding the housing along onthe shaft 61.

The housings 59 are supported at their forward ends on the supportingbar 62, adjustable housing holders 63 being mounted on the bar 62 andprovided with set screws 64 by which they are retained in their adjustedpositions. Adjustable supports 65 are threaded through ears 66 on thehousings to engage the bar 62, limiting the downward movement of thedriving rollers. WVinged lock nuts 67 are provided for these supports65. The driving means for the shaft 61 will be described later.

As the work is carried along it comes into engagement with therearwardly inclined arms 250 disposed on oppositesides of the bars 55. Apair of guide bars 251 are adjustably mounted on the upright 252 at theinner side of the delivery conveyor to assist in controlling andpositioning the work as it is discharged on to the stackingor dischargeconveyor.

At the front side of the path of the work and projecting over thedischarge conveyor apron 68 is a second pair-of arms 253 adjustablymounted on the upright 254. The

stitched work is delieverd from this discharge conveyor to a stacking orfinal delivery apron 68 which is disposed transversely at the rear endof the machine and supported by the rollers 69 and 7 O. The work isdelivered from the belt or apron 68 to a table 71 upon which the work isdelivered in a stack as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. The work isremoved from this table 71 by an operator, or it might be otherwisedelivered by the apron 68, as desired.

To aline the work as it falls on the apron I provide an adjustable stopmember-7 2 which is carried by a clamp 73 adjustably secured tothe endplate 74 by means of the set screw 255. The stop member 72 is tiltinglymounted on the clamp and has a pivot 256 engaging the clamp and securedin its adjusted POSI- tion by the set screw 257.

The delivery conveyor frame 75 is carried by an upright 77 provided witha rack 78, the

. upright being supported for vertical adjustment in a bearing 79 on theend of an arm or bracket 80 projecting rearwardly from the main frame ofthe machine, see Figs. 2, 11 and 12. The vertical adjustment is effectedby means of shaft 81 having a pinion 82, see dotted lines in Fig. 12,meshing with the rack 78, the shaft having a handwheel 83 at its outerend. The shaft also is provided with a ratchet wheel 84 and a coactingdetent 85 is provided to hold the delivery conveyor in its adjustedposition. This enables the rapid adjustment of the delivery conveyor tothe requirements of the particular operator. The driving means for thedelivery or stacking conveyor will be described later.

Having described thefeed conveyor, the stitching conveyor, the dischargeconveyor and the final delivery conveyor and their relation to eachother, I will now describe the driving mechanism by means of which theseparts are operated in proper synchronism, and by means of which themachine is adapted to different sizes of work and by means of which thespacing of the stitching is varied.

The machine illustrated is driven from the motor 86 which is mounted ona bracket 87 at the rear of the machine. The main driving to the shaft88 by means of a clutch controlled from the foot pedal 90.

The driving clutch member 91 is of the cone type and carried by the gearwhile the driven clutch member 92 is fixed to the end of the shaft, seeFig. 18. A brake is combined with this clutch and a relatively fixedconical brake member 93 is mounted on the frame to coact with the brakemember 94 on the clutch so that when the clutch is released the brake isengaged, thereby checking the momentum of the machine.

.The shaft 88 is provided with a tubular extension 95 secured to theshaft by the key 96. The gear 89 is rotatably mounted on this shaftextension while the combined clutch and brake member is slidably securedthereto by means of the key 96' arranged transversely through the slot97 and secured to the hub of the brake member.

A spring 98 arranged within this shaft extension urges the clutch toengaging position and acts to release the brake. The tension of thisspring is adjusted by means of the screw 99 at the end of the shaftextension, see Fig. 18. The shaft extension has a second transverse slot100 in which is pivoted the lever 101. The lever is pivoted at 102 tocoact with the push rod 103 arranged within the shaft extension.

On the projecting end of the lever 101 is a roller 104 adapted to coactwith the tappet 105 on the releasing lever 106 which is pivoted at 107on the frame to be shifted into position to engage with the roller 104as the shaft 88 revolves. This clutch releasing lever 106 is controlledby means of the rotatable starwheel shaped member 108 to which isconnected a ratchet Wheel 109, see Figs. 17 and 18. This ratchet wheelis actuated by the pawl 110 carried by the foot lever 90. The upper endof the pawl is supported by a pin 111 engaging a slot 112 in the pawl.The spring 113 returns the pawl and also, through its connectionthereto, the foot lever.

The star-wheel 108 has spaced lift portions 114 adapted to coact withthe lever 106 to hold it in inoperative position, this lever being shownin inoperative position in Fig. 17.

Between each lift the member 108 is conformed to allow the releasinglever 106 under the tension of the spring 115 to swing into the path ofthe roller 104, thereby disengaging the driving clutch and applying thebrake. A succeeding actuation of the foot pedal swings the releasinglever to inoperative position and this allows the clutch to reengageunder the action of the spring 98.

The driving gear 89 is connected to the mo-v tor through a variablespeed transmission designated generally by the numeral 116. The detailsof this variable speed transmission are not illustrated in this relationas the same variable speed transmission is employed in the drivingconnections for the driving shaft to the feed conveyor. This second'transmission between the driving shaft and the motor is housed inthegearbox 3.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 13, 14

. and 15, the transmission illustrated comprises a shaft 118 having aplurality of gears as 119 120, 121, 122 and 123 keyed thereto and atubular shaft 124 having a plurality of gears 125, 126, 127, 128 and 129coacting with the gears on the shaft 118 in the order named.

The sliding key 130 is adjustable to connect any one of the gears on theshaft 124, thus providing a wide range or variation in speed. The key130 is carried by a rack 131 which is adjusted from the handwheel 132 onthe spindle 133, the spindle having a pinion 134 meshing with the rack.The teeth of the rack are annular so as to permit rotation of the rackwith the shaft.

The gears on the shaft 118 are the driving gears of the transmission,the gear 123.being connected to the main driving shaft 88 by the gear135. This transmission is connected to-the, shaft 27, see Figs. 8 and15, by a'driving means which permits the adjustment of the feed conveyorchain so as to properly position the flights for the delivery ofpamphlets of different sizes to the stitching conveyo ineans' Thedriving connection consists of a gear on the shaft 124 which meshes witha gear 141 on the shaft 142, this shaft 142 having a gear 143 on itsupper end meshing with a gear 144 on the feed conveyor driving shaft 27.The shaft 142 is made up of sections eon nected by a coupling consistingof a pair of disks 145 and 146 on the ends of the section, see Figs. 1,13 and 13A. The disk 146 has a segmental slot- 147 therein to receivethe bolt 148. When this bolt is loosened the upper section, which isprovided with graduations as indicated, may be turned relative to thelower coupling member which is provided with a pointer, see Fig. 13,thereby moving the feed conveyor chain and through it adj usting thefiightsj-in proper relation to other parts of the mechanism. Thisadjustment complements the bodily adjustment of the conveyor through itsbearing slides 18 and 19 as has been described.

The ilvork feed rollers 49 and 50 are driven from a shaft 152. Thisshaft 152 is connected tothe shaft 153 for driving the lower feed roller49 by means of the vertical shaft 154 having beveled gears 155 and 156at its ends, the gear 155 meshing with the gear 157 on the shaft 152.The gear 156 meshes with a gear 158 on the shaft 153.

The roller 49 is carried by a shaft 159 having a beveled gear 160meshing with the beveled gear 161 on the shaft 153. The co acting feedroller 50 is provided with a shaft 162 disposed in a swinging support orh0us ing 164 pivoted on a shaft 167. The shaft 162 is provided with abeveled gear 165 meshing with the gear 166 on the shaft 167. The shaft167 is connected to the shaft 152 by means of the vertical shaft 168 andthe beveled gears 171'and 172 on the shafts 168 and 167, respectively,and the beveled gears 169 and on the shafts 168 and 152, respectively.

With this connection the upper and lower feed rollers 49 and 50 aredriven at the same speed. The shaft 152 is driven with a variable strokeor motion illustrated in detail in Figs. 19 to 24, inclusive. Thegeneral relation of the parts is shown in Fig. 1.

This driving connection comprises a crank disk 173 which is pinned tothe shaft 88 and carries an adjustable wrist pin 174 eccentricallymounted on a disk 175 rotatable in an eccentrically disposed recess 176in the crank disk. This pin carrying disk is secured in its adjustedposition by set-screws 177, see Fig. 23. The crank pin disk 175 isprovided with graduations or indicia operatively associated with apointer 179 on the crank disk.

The wrist pin 174 is connected to the oscillating rack 180 by means ofthe pitman 181. This rack is further controlled from a crank pin 182 onthe shaft 183, this crank pin being connected to the lower end of thearm 184 on the rack by means of the pitman 185. The result is that thepivot 186 for the rack is movably supported and the throw of the rack isvaried by the movement of the pivot.

The crank shaft 183 is driven from the shaft 88, a gear 187 on the crankshaft meshing with a gear 188 on the shaft 88, see Figs.

23 and 24. The rack 180 is supported in mesh with the pinion 189 bymeans of the suspending link 190. The pinion 189 has a ratchetconnection with the shaft 152, the ratchet being indicated generally bythe numeral 191.

The clincher bar 192 of the stapler is actuated in synchronism with themovement of the feed rollers through a double lobed cam 194 on the shaft88 acting upon an arm 195 on the bell crank lever 196, one arm of whichcarries the supporting slide 197 of the clincher bar 192. The partiallyset staple is indicated at 198 in-Fig. 19, bending members 199deflecting the ends of the staple as I shown in Fig. 19 to be engaged bythe clinching bar 192 on its upward movement, thereby closing the stapleor stitch, as it is commonly designated. The clincher bar is actuatedtwice for each stitch thereby preventing clogging if the stitcheroperates when there is no work to receive the stitches.

The cranks 173 and 182 are timed to rotate at different speeds so thatas a result of the variation in the pivot point of the rack or segment180, a variation in the feeding movement of the work feed rollersresults, thereby varying the spacing of the staples as indicated in Fig.27.

The feed roller 50 is swung to and from feeding position or operativeposition relative to the feed roller 40 by the mechanism illustrated inFigs. 3, 5, 7 and 7A. As stated, the support 164 is tiltingly orpivotally mounted on the shaft 167 and is provided with an arm 200 whichis engaged by a pin 204 on the arm 205 on the rockshaft 203. Thisrockshaft has an arm 206 thereon connected by a link 207 to theactuating lever 208.

This lever 208 is connected to the upper end of the link 209 whichprojects through the gear box 117, the lower end of the link beingconnected to the lever 210 actuated by a cam consisting of a pair of cammembers 211 and 212 adjustable relative to each other providing meansfor varying the cam. The cam 211 has a hub or sleeve 213 provided withadjusting indicia 214, an index 215 being operatively associatedtherewith. The clamping nut 216 holds the cam members in their adjustedposition on the shaft 124, see Figs. 13, 14 and 15. This adjustmentprovides for timing of the work feed roller, that is, the timing ofengagement and disengagement.

feeding engagement by the spring pressed plunger 217, see Fig. 5, whilethe rockshaft.

203 is provided with a spring pressed plunger 218. As stated, thestitcher head 4 employed may be of'any suitable commercial type, thatis, the type manufactured as a unit. I do, however, provide improvementsin the driving and adjusting. means therefor.

The first driving roller 56 of the delivery conveyor is moved to andfrom operative relation to its coacting idler by means of a lever 260which is pivoted at 261 and connected by the link 262 to the rearwardlyprojecting lugs 263 on the housing for the shaft of this roller, seeFigs. 2, 7 and 7A. The lever 260 is actuated from an arm 264 on therockshaft 203, the arm having a pin 265 engaging the end of the lever.With this arrangement the de livery roller 56 is thrown out ofengagement with the work so that the delivery roller is out of operativeengagement with the work during the period it is acted upon by the feedroller, which prevents the work being pulled out of shape ordistortedduring the stitching operation. The delivery roller is throwninto engagement with the work carrying it from the stitching position assoon as the work is released by the feed roller 50.

The stitcher driving shaft 219 is ecoentrically mounted at 220 so thatas the support is rotated the stapler mechanism is adjusted to work ofdifferent thicknesses. On its outer end the support 220 is provided witha head 221 carrying a handle 222 which is threaded into the head so thatit may be adjusted into clamping relation to the fixed disk 223, seeFigs. 3 and 5.

Power is transmitted to the shaft 219 through a shaft 224, the upper endof which is carried by a yoke 225 supported on the shaft 219. The shaft224 has a beveled gear 226 thereon meshing with a gear 227 on the shaft219. On the lower end of the shaft 224 is a beveled gear 228 meshingwith a gear 229 on the main driving shaft 88. The shaft 224- has a slipor sliding connection with the gear 228 as shown in Fig. 5.

The shaft 51 of the discharge conveyor is driven from the firsttransmission 116-, the driving connections consisting of a gear 230 on ashaft 231 disposed on the side of the gear box and meshing with one ofthe driven gears of the transmission. This shaft 231 has a beveled gear232 on its inner end meshin with the beveled gear 233 on the lower en ofthe vertical shaft 234.

The shaft 234 is provided with a beveled gear 235 meshing with thebeveled gear 236 on the shaft 237 disposed transversely of the machine,see Fig. 2. The shaft 237 is con- The feed roller 50 is urged yieldinglyinto nected to the shaft 61 by beveled gears indicated at 238, Fig. 2.

The delivery apron 68 is connected to the shaft 234 by means of theshaft 239 connected to the shaft 234 by the gears 240 provided with aworm 241 meshing with a worm wheel 242 on the shaft 243. This shaft 243is connected to the roller 69 by means of the beveled gears indicated at244.

With the mechanism described the work in the form of signatures orleaves of a pamphlet to be stitched together is placed by the operatorastride the feed conveyor 7 which has previously been adjusted accordingto the length of the work. This adjustment should be such that theflights 10 are retracted at the point where the stitcher feed rollersengage the work to carry it through the stitcher. The control for thefeed rollers is timed so that the upper feed roller is in retracted orinoperative position as the work is delivered into position to beengaged thereby so that the work freely passes below the same and is notdistorted or fanned; that is, the several sheets forming the work arenot pulled out of position by the engagement of the feed rollers withthe top and bottom sheets.

As the work is fed to the stitcher it passes under the'sprin 43 whichapplies a slight friction so that t ere is no tendency for overthrowwhen the flights cease to carry the same forward.

The double conical roller 44 and the shoe 46 serve to hold the work inproper relation to receive the stitches as it is fed into and throughthe stitcher.

By the driving means described the feed rollers are driven with avariable stroke which results in variations in the spacin of the staplesas is indicated in Fig. 27, t e variation, of course, being uniform foreach adjustment and capable of wide adaptation.

The machine is given further wide adaptability by the variation in seeds through the mechanism described and t e wide variation in thetiming of the feeding action of the feed rollers. From the stitcher feedrollers the work 'is delivered to the discharge conveyor means describedwhich is capable of ready adjustment to the particular work.

The feed is varied according to the number of stitches desired in agiven piece of work. For instance, where only two stitches are 1nsertedin each piece of work the number of pieces of work to be fed to themachine to maintain its capacity would be accordingly increased ascompared with the number of pleces where six or eight stitches were madein each piece of work, and the transmissions are adjusted and the feedcontrol cam adjusted accordingly. This permits the adaptation of themachine for the particular work.

The work is fed to the machine by the work delivery conveyor in positionto receive the first stitch. This is of advantage in that it enables thepositioning of the first stitch relative to the end of the work so thatthe outer stitch does not interfere with trimming operations and thestaples may be positioned in the work to permit cutting into a pluralityof perforations where that is required.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an adaptation whichhas proven highly satisfactory. I have not attempted to illustrate ordescribe certain modifications or adaptations which I contemplate asitis believed the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the artto embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a stitchingmechanism, a work feed means for said stitching mechanism comprising awork way and a pair of coacting rollers, one of which is movable to andfrom work feeding position, means for intermittently driving said feedrollers with successive strokes of varying length, a main variable speeddriving transmission having a driving connection to said stitchingmechanism and to said feed roller driving means, means for shifting saidmovable roller to and from work feeding position, a second variablespeed driving mechanism driven through said main variable speed drivingmechanism and having driving connection to said roller shifting means, awork delivery conveyor delivering to said work feed means and comprisinga work way and Work translating means including a conveyor chainprovided with flights whereby the work is delivered to initial stitchingposition, means for retracting said flights at work delivery position,means for adjusting said work translating means to and from said workfeed means, a driving connection for said work delivery translatingmeans to said second variable speed transmission including an adjustingmeans whereby the conveyor chain may be adjustable to vary the positionof the flights relative to the actuating means therefor, a workdischarge conveyor comprising a plurality of work supporting rollersadjustable relative to each other and a plurality of coacting drivenrollers, the first of which is automatically movable to and from workongaging position, and operating connections between said first rollerand said movable feed 1:0 roller shifting means whereby it is moved toinoperative position when said movable work feed roller is moved tooperative position and vice versa.

2. In a structure of the class described, the 1-35 combination of thestitching mechanism, a work feed means for said stitching mechanismcomprising a work way and a pair of coacting rollers, one of which ismovable to and from work feeding position,

feed means an comprising a Work way and.

work translating means including a conveyor chain provided with flightswhereby the work is delivered to initial stitching position, means forretracting said flights at work delivery position, means for adjustingsaid work translating means to and from said work feed means, and adriving connection for said work delivery means to said second variablespeed transmission including an adjusting means whereby the conveyorchain may be adjusted to vary the position of the flights relative tothe actuating means therefor.

3. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a stitchingmechanism,a work feed means for said stitching mechanism comprisinga'work way and a pair of coacting rollers, one of which is movable toand from work feeding position, means for intermittently driving saidfeed rollers with successive strokes of varying length, a main variablespeed driving transmission having a driving connection to said stitchingmechanism and to said feed roller driving means, means for shifting saidmovable roller to and from work feeding position, a second variablespeed driving mechanism driven through said main variable speed drivingmechanism and having driving connection to said roller shifting means, awork discharge conveyor comprising a plurality of work supportingrollers adjustable relative to each other and a plurality of coactingdriven rollers, the first of Which is automatically movable to and fromwork engaging position, and operating connections between said firstroller and said movable feed roller. shifting means whereby it is movedto inoperative position when said movable work feed roller is moved tooperative position and vice versa.

4. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a stitchingmechanism, a work feed means for said stitching mechanism comprising awork way and a pair of co'acting rollers, one of which is movable to andfrom work feeding position, means for intermittently driving said feedrollers with successive strokes of varying length, a main variable speeddriving transmission having a driving connection to said stitchingmechanism and to said feed roller driving means, means for shifting saidmovable roller to and from work feeding position, and a second variablespeed driving mechanism driven through said main variable speed drivingmechanism and having driving connection to said roller shifting means.

5. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a stitchingmechanism, a work feed means for said stitching mechanism comprising aWork way and a pair of coacting rollers, one of which is movable to andfrom work feeding position, means for intermittently driving said feedrollers with successive strokes of varying length, said meansbeingadjustable to vary the length of such strokes, a main variable speeddriving transmission having a driving connection to said stitchingmechanism and to said feed roller driving means, means for shifting saidmovable roller to and from work feeding position including a timing camcomprising a pair of relatively adjustable cam members, and a secondvariable speed driving mechanism driven through said main variable speeddriving mechanism and having driving connection to said timing cam.

6. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a stitchingmechanism, a work feed roller operatively associated with said stitchingmechanism and movable to and from work feeding position, means forintermittently driving said feed roller with successive strokes ofvarying length, a main variable speed driving transmission having adriving connection to said stitching mechanism and to said feed rollerdriving means, means for shifting said roller to and from work feedingposition including a timing cam, a second variable speed drivingmechanism driven through said main variable speed driving mechanism andhaving driving connection to said timing cam, a work delivery meansdelivering to said work feed means and comprising a conveyor chainprovided with flights, means for retracting said flights at Workdelivery position, means for adjusting said work delivery means to andfrom said work feed means, a driving connection for said work deliverymeans to said second variable speed transmission including an adj ustingmeans whereby the conveyor chain may be adjusted to vary the position ofthe flights relative to the actuating means therefor, a work dischargeroller movable to and from work engaging position, and operatingconnections from said discharge roller to said feed roller shiftingmeans whereby it is moved to inoperative position when said work feedroller is moved to operative position and vice versa.

7. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a stitchingmechanism, a WOIk feed roller opcratively associated with said stitchingmechanism and movableto and from work feeding position, means forintermittently driving said feed roller with successive strokes ofvarying length, a main Variable speed driving transmission having adriving connection to said stitching mechanism and to said feed rollerdriving means, means for shifting said roller to and from work feedingposition including a timing cam, a second variable speed drivingmechanism driven through said main variable speed driving mechanism andhaving driving connection to said timing cam, a work discharge rollermovable to and from Work engaging position, and operating connectionsfrom said discharge roller to said feed roller shifting means whereby itis moved to inoperative position when said work feed roller is moved tooperative position and vice versa.

8'. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed roller operatively associated with saidstitching mechanism and movable to and from work feeding position, meansfor intermittently driving said feed roller with successive strokes ofvarying length, a main variable speed driving transmission having adriving connection to said stitch ing mechanism and to said feed rollerdriving means, means for shifting said roller to and from work feedingposition including a timing cam, and a second; variablespeed drivingmechanism driven through said main variable speed driving mechanism andhaving driving connection to said timing cam.

9. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a stitchingmechanism, a work feed roller operatively associated with said stitchingmechanism and movable to and from work feeding position, means forintermittently driving said feed roller with successive strokes ofvarying length, said means being adjustable to vary the length of suchstrokes, a main variable speed driving transmission having a drivingconnection to said stitching mechanism and to said feed roller drivingmeans, means for shifting said roller to and from work feeding positionincluding a timing cam comprising a pair of relatively adjustable cammembers, and a second variable speed driving mechanism driven throughsaid main variable speed driving mechanism and having driving connectionto said timing cam.

10. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means for said stitching mechanismcomprising a roller movable to and from work feeding position, means forintermittently driving-said feed roller with successive strokes ofvarying length, said means being adjustable to vary the length of suchstrokes, and means for shifting said.

feed roller to and from work feeding positionincluding a timing camcomprising a pair of relatively adjustable cam members.

11. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a stitchinmechanism, a work feed means for said stltching mechanism comprising aroller movable to and from work feeding position, means forintermittently driving said feed roller with successive strokes ofvarying length, and means for shifting said feed roller to and fromfeeding position including a timing cam comprising a pair of relativelyadjustable cammembers.

12. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means for said stitching mechanismcomprising a roller movable to and from work feeding position, means forintermittently driving said fe'ed roller with successive strokes ofvarying length, said means being adjustable to vary the length of suchstrokes, and means for shifting said feed roller to and from workfeeding position including a timing means.

13. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means for said stitching mechanismcomprising a roller movable to and from work feeding position, means forintermittently driving said feed roller with successive strokes ofvarying length, and means for shifting said feed roller to and from workfeeding position including a timing means.

14. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means for said stitching mechanismcomprising a roller movable to and from work feeding position, means forintermittently driving said feed roller, means for shifting said feedroller to and from work feeding position, a work delivery conveyor meanscomprising a work way and translating means including a conveyor chainprovided with flights, means for retracting said flights at workdelivery position, means for adjusting said work translating means as aunit to and from said work feed means, driving means for said workdelivery translating means including an adjusting means whereby theconveyor chain ma be adjusted to vary the position of the fiiglitsrelative to the actuating means therefor, a work discharge rollermovable to and from work engaging position, and operating connectionsfrom said discharge roller to said feed roller shifting means wherebythe feed roller and the discharge roller are alternately moved tooperative position.

15. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means for said stitching mechanismcomprising a roller movable to and from work feeding position, means forintermittently driving said feed roller, means for shifting said feedroller to and from work feeding position, a work delivery conveyor meanscomprisin a work way and translatin means inclu ing a conveyor chainprovi ed with fli hts, means for retracting said flights at worI:delivery position, means for adjusting said work translating means as aunit to and from said work feed means, and driving means for said workdelivery translating means including an adjusting means whereby theconveyor chain may be adjusted to vary the position of the flightsrelative to the actuating means therefor.

16. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a Work feed means for said stitching mechanism, awork delivery conveyor means comprising a work way and translating meansincluding a conveyor chain provided with flights, means for retractingsaid flights at work delivery position, means for adjusting said worktranslating means as a unit to and from said work feed means, anddriving means for said work delivery translating 'means including anadjusting means whereby the conveyor chain may be adjusted to vary theposition of the flights relative to the actuating means therefor.

17. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means including a member movable to andfrom work feeding position,

-means for driving said work feed member with successive feed strokes ofvarying length, means for shifting said feed member to and from feedingposition including a timing member, a variable speed driving meansoperatively connected with said stitching mechanism and said feed memberdriving means, a second variable speed driving means operativelyassociated with said shifting means, a work delivery mechanism includinga work translating means adjustable to and from said work feed means foradaptation to work of different longitudinal dimensions, a drivingconnection for said work delivery translating means including anadjustable means supplementing the before-mentioned adjusting means forsaid work delivery translating means, a Work discharge means movable toand from operative position, and operating connections therefor fromsaid work feed shifting means whereby said work discharge means is movedto inoperative position when the work feed means is moved to operativeposition and; vice versa.

18. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitchingmechanism, a

, work feed means including a member movable to and from work feedingposition, means for driving said work feed member with successive feedstrokes of varying length. means for shifting said feed member to andfrom feeding position including a timing member, a variable speeddriving means operatively connected with said stitching mechanism andsaid feed member driving means, a second variable speed driving meansoperatively associated with said shifting means, a work deliverymechanism includin a Work translating means adjustable to and from saidwork feed means for adaptation to work of different longitudinaldimensions, and a driving connection for said work delivery translatingmeans including an adjustable means supplementing the beforementionedadjusting means from said work delivery translating means.

19. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means including a member movable to andfrom work feeding position, means for driving said work feed member withsuccessive feed strokes of varying length, means for shifting said feedmember to and from feeding position including a timing member, avariable speed driving means operatively connected with said stitchingmechanism and said feed member driving means, a second variable speeddriving means operatively associated with said shifting means, a workdischarge means movable to and from operative position, and operatingconnections therefor from said shift-ing means whereby said workdischarge means is moved to inoperative position when the Work feedmeans is moved to operative position and vice versa. 7

20. In a structure of the class described, the

combination of a stitching mechanism, a work feed means including amember movable to and from work feeding position, means for driving saidwork feed member with successive feed strokes of varying length, meansfor shifting said feed member to and from feeding position including atiming member, a variable speed driving means operatively connected withsaid stitching mechanism and said feed member driving means, and asecond variable speed driving means operatively associated with saidshifting means.

21. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means comprising a pair of oppositelyinclined way members, one of said way members having an openingtherethrough, a pair of coacting feed rollers aligned with said opening,means for intermittently driving said feed rollers with successivestrokes of varying length, said means being adjustable to vary thelength of such strokes, a feed roller control means acting to move oneof said feed rollers to and from work driving position, and means forvarying the timing of said feed roller control means.

22. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, work feed means operatively associated therewithand comprising a'work supporting way, coacting feed rollers, one ofwhich is movably mounted to be shifted to and from feeding position,means for intermittently driving said rollers with strokes of varyinglength, means for shifting said movable roller to and from feedingposition including an adjustable timing means, a main variable speeddriving means having variable connection to said stitching mechanism andto said feed roller driving means, and a second variable speed drivingmechanism driven from said first mentioned variable speed drivingmechanism and having driving connection to said timing means.

23. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, work feed means operatively associated therewithand comprising a work supporting way, coacting feed rollers, one ofwhich is movably mounted to be shifted to and from feeding position,means for intermittently driving said rollers, means for shifting saidmovable roller to and from feeding position, a main variable speeddriving means having variable connection to said stitching mechanism andto said feed roller driving means, and a second variable speed drivingmechanism driven from said first mentioned variable speed drivingmechanism and having driving connection to said shifting means.

24. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means comprising a feed roller, meansfor intermittently driving said feed roller with successive strokes ofVarying length, said means being adjustable to vary the length of suchstrokes, a main variable speed driving means having driving connectionsto said stitching mechanism and to said feed roller driving means, afeed roller control means acting to move said feed roller to and fromwork driving position, a variable speed transmission for said feedroller control means having driving connection to said main variablespeed driving transmission, and means for varying the timing of saidfeed roller control means.

25. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means comprising a feed roller, meansfor intermittently driving said feed roller with successive strokes ofvarying length, a main variable speed driving means having drivingconnections to said stitching mechanism and to said feed roller drivingmeans, a feed roller control means acting to move said feed roller toand from work driving position, and a variable speed transmission forsaid feed roller control means having driving connection to said mainvariable speed driving transmission.

26. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means including a member movable to andfrom work feeding position, means for driving said work feed member withsuccessive feed strokes of varying length, said means being adjustableto vary the length of such feed strokes, means for shifting said feedmember to and from feeding position including an adjustable timingmember, a work delivery mechanism including a work translating meansadjustable to and from said work feed means for adaptation to work ofdifferent longitudinal dimensions, a work discharge means movable to andfrom operative position, and operating connections therefor to saidshifting means whereby said work discharge means is moved to inoperativeposition when the work feed means is moved to operative position andvice versa.

27. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means including a member movable to andfrom Work feeding position, means for driving said work feed member withsuccessive feed strokes of varying length, said means being adjustableto vary the length of such feed strokes, means for shifting said feedmember to and from driving position including an adjustable timingmember, and a work delivery mechanism including a work translating meansadjustable to and from said work feed means for adaptation to work ofdiiferent longitudinal dimensions.

28. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means including a member movable to andfrom work feeding position, means for driving said work feed member withsuccessive feed strokes of varying length, said means being adjustableto vary the length of such feed strokes, means for shifting said feedmember to and from feeding position including an adjustable timingmember, a work discharge means movable to and from operative position,and operating connections therefor to said shifting means whereby saidwork discharge means is moved to inoperative position when the work feedmeans is moved to operative position and vice versa.

29. In a. structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means including a member movable to andfrom work feeding position, means for driving said work feed member withsuccessive feed strokes of varying length, said means being adjustableto vary the length of such feed strokes, and means for shifting saidfeed member to and from feeding position including an adjustable timingmember.

30. In a structure of the class described, the combination of, astitching mechanism, a work feed roller operatively associated with saidstitching mechanism and movable to. and from work feeding position,means for shift ing said roller to and from work feeding positionincluding a timing cam comprising a pair of relatively adjustable cammembers, a work discharge roller movable to and from work engagingposition, and operating concharge roller and the feed roller are alterr'nated to operative position.

31. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed roller operatively associated with saidstitching mechanism and movable to and from work feeding position, andmeans for shifting said roller to and from work feeding positionincluding a timing cam comprising a pair of relatively adjustable cammembers.

32. .In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means comprising a feed roller, meansfor driving said feed roller with successive strokes of varying length,said means being adjustable to vary the length of such strokes, a feedcontrol means acting to move said feed roller to and from Work engagingosition, and means for varying the timing 0 said feed control means.

33. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means comprising a feed roller, andmeans for driving said feed roller with successive strokes of varyinglength, said means being adjustable to vary the length of such strokes.

34. In a structure of the class described, the eombinatiton of astitching mechanism, a work feed means comprising a feed roller,

' means for driving said feed roller with successive strokes of varyinglength, a feed control means acting to move said feed roller to and fromwork engaging position, and means for varying the timing of said feedcontrol means.

35. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means comprising a feed roller,means'for shifting said feed roller to and from feeding osition, andmeans for driving said feed rol er with successive strokes of varyinglength.

36. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a stitehinmechanism, a work feed means operatively associated therewith andcomprising a feed roller adjustably mounted to be moved to and fromfeeding position, a variable speed driving means for said feed roller,and means for varying the effective period of actuation of said feedroller for varying the spacing of the stitches. 37. In a structure ofthe class described, the combination of a stitching mechanism, anintermittently acting work feed means, whereby the work is fed tovarying positions relative to the stitching mechanism, a feed deliverymeans adjustable to position the work de livered to the said work feedmeans and to work of difierent sizes, driving connections for said workfeed means and work delivery means permitting such adjustment, and

means for varying the length of the feed stroke of said work feed meansindependently of said delivery means and of the position to which thework is delivered by said delivery means.

38. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means for said stitching mechanismcomprising a feeding roller movable to and from work driving position,means for intermittently driving said feed roller, means for shiftingsaid roller to and from work feeding position including a timing meansadjustable to vary the timing of actuation of said feed roller, a workdischarge means comprising a plurality of work supporting rollersadjustable relative to each other and a plurality of coacting drivenrollers, the first of which is automatically movable to and from workdriving position to engage the work released by said feed roller, andoperating connections for said automatically movable discharge roller tosaid movable work feed roller shifting means whereby said work feed anddischarge rollers are alternately moved to and from operative position.

39. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means for said stitching mechanismcomprising a feed roller movable to and from work driving position,means for intermittently driving said feed roller, means for shiftingsaid roller to and from work driving position, a work discharge meanscomprising a plurality of work supportlng rollers adjustable relative toeach other and a plurality of coacting driven rollers, the first ofwhich is automatically movable to and .from work engaging position toengage the work released by said feed roller, and operating connectionsfor said automatically movable discharge roller to said movable workfeed roller shifting means whereby said work feed and discharge rollersare alternately moved to and from operative position.

40. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a work feed means for said stitching mechanismcomprising a feed roller movable to and from work feeding position,means for intermlttently driving said feed roller, means for shiftmgsaid roller to and from work drlving position including a timing meansadjustable to vary the timing or actuation of said feed roller, a workdischarge means comprising a driven roller movable to and from workengaging position to engage the work released by said feed roller, andoperating connections from said discharge roller to said work feedroller shifting means whereby said work feed and discharge rollers arealternately moved to and from operative position.

41. In a structure of the class described, the combination of astitching mechanism, a

